Pressurized fluid storage tank

ABSTRACT

A vacuum storage container of one piece molded construction with a cover plate forming one end wall incorporates a central hollow post communicating with a vacuum inlet. A check valve disposed at the free end of the hollow post is retained in position by the cover plate and includes a radial flange with an inwardly extending flange at the free end of the radial flange overlying the end of the post to provide a double seal for the check valve. Conduits are provided intermediate the cover member and the check valve to effect communication between the vacuum inlet port and the interior of the container external to the hollow cylindrical post. An outlet port communicates with the interior of the container.

United States Patent Riester et al.

[54] PRESSURIZED FLUID STORAGE TANK [72] Inventors: William C. Riester, Williamsville; William F. Kuebler, East Aurora, both of NY.

[73] Assignee: Trico Products Corporation, Buffalo, NY.

[22] Filed: June 19, R970 [21] Appl. No.: 47,641

2,621,889 12/1952 Annin ..l37/525.lX

[4 1 Mar. 14, 1972 3,499,461 3/l970 Tuma ..l37/525.3X

Primary ExaminerWilliam R. Cline Attorney-51. Herbert Liss ABSTRACT A vacuum storage container of one piece molded construction with a cover plate forming one end wall incorporates a central hollow post communicating with a vacuum inlet. A check valve disposed at the free end of the hollow post is retained in position by the cover plate and includes a radial flange with an inwardly extending flange at the free end of the radial flange overlying the end of the post to provide a double seal for the check valve. Conduits are provided intermediate the cover member and the check valve to effect communication between the vacuum inlet port and the interior of the container external to the hollow cylindrical post. An outlet port communicates with the interior of the container.

9 Claims, 5 DrawingFigures lPlltlESSUlRllZlED FILIUID STORAGE TANK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to pressurized fluid storage containers, and more particularly, to a molded plastic pressurized fluid storage container.

Fluid storage units of this type are widely used asreservoir tanks in a closed circuit system for fluid pressure differential operated devices in motor vehicles. Such systems are used extensively in conjunction with internal combustion engines where, by way of example, the depression in the intake manifold is utilized to provide a source of differential pressure. This differential pressure is harnessed to operate fluid pressure responsive devices. Examples of uses include operation of remotely located controls for heater systems, servos for door locking systems and fluid pressure motors for windshield wiper and washer systems.

Auxiliary fluid storage containers for the above mentioned purposes are advantageous in that they assure functioning of the fluid pressure operated devices during periods of fluctuation of the vacuum from the intake manifold. Such storage tanks also make it possible to operate several of these devices when the engine is not running.

A tank of this type in use is illustrated and described in US. Pat. No. 3,194,263 by W. C. Riester issued July 13, 1965 wherein an assembly is provided utilizing a storage container and a separate valve housing secured thereto. The valve must be separately assembled and clamped in good sealing relationship. To produce a molded construction of the storage container shown in US. Pat. No. 3,194,263, several separate parts must be molded and then secured together. Many points of possible leakage due to manufacturing tolerances are inherent in the device.

SUMMARY The present invention renders it feasible to provide a strong, molded construction with only a separate plate type closure member which can be spin-welded or secured in any other suitable or desirable manner to provide a tight seal. This eliminates assembly of many mating parts which could result in leakage. A central post is provided which communicates withthe inlet port and serves as a reinforcing member as well as a valve housing. A duck-bill type valve, or other suitable types, may be seated on the free end of the post to form a double seal. The valve is retained in place by the cover member. Thus assembly is greatly simplified. The central post also forms a base for radial supporting ribs which extend from the central post to the outer wall of the container and from end to end, forming an extremely rigid construction, thereby obviating malfunction resulting from the extreme stresses placed upon the container during operation. With this construction it is possible to use a relatively thin walled, simple, economical molded construction.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved, simple to assemble, pressurized fluid storage container of few separate parts to facilitate assembly and to minimize possible leakage points.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved pressurized fluid storage container which can be formed of molded plastic material and which is sufficiently strong and is reinforced to withstand the stresses towhich it must be exposed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view of a motor vehicle incorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the storage container of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of a check valve used in this invention;

FIG. 4i is a perspective view of a modified form of check valve used in this invention; and FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the storage container illustrating the section of the check valve of FIG. 4 taken on line VV of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, FIG. I illustrates a motor vehicle It) having a vacuum tank or reservoir 12 mounted on a body panel thereof within the engine compartment. A first conduit M effects communication between a vacuum source such as an engine intake manifold l5 and nipple 16 (FIG. 2) at port 16' of vacuum tank 12. A second conduit 18 effects communication between nipple 20 at port .20 of vacuum storage container 12 and a vacuum operated device 22 mounted on the firewall 24 of the vehicle 16. The device 22 may be control valve for a door locking system, a heater control, a windshield wiper motor or any other pressure differential operated accessory.

The vacuum storage container 12 may be molded of any suitable plastic material. It includes a cylindrical sidewall 26, an integral end wall 28 and a closure plate 30 which may be spin-welded to the sidewalls 26 as at 32 or secured in any other suitable or desirable manner to effect a tight seal: Formed in the main body of the container are a pair of depressions 34 and 35 having a vacuum inlet nipple l6 and a vacuum outlet nipple 20 formed within the depression and extending outwardly of the body of the container. Extending from the inlet nipple l6 toward the closure member 30 and in communication with port 16' is a hollow cylindrical post 36 having its free end 33 adjacent the closure member 30. A plurality of radial ribs 4l0 and 40' extend between the central post 36 and the sidewall 26 of the container. The ribs 40 and 40' may be disposed alternately and spaced circumferentially around the post. The ribs 410 extend from the end wall 28 to the closure 30 and are notched out as at 42 to provide conduits for communication between the radial sections formed by the ribs 40. The notches 412 also provide space for the reception of a check valve 44 or Me. Mounting brackets 46 are formed externally on wall 26.

The check valve shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a duck-bill type check valve wherein the sidewalls 48 converge to a slit 50 which is normally closed in the relaxed condition. The check valve 414 is telescoped within the post 36 and has at its outer end a radially extending circumferential flange 52 and an inwardly extending circumferential flange 54 at the outer end of the flange S2. The flanges 52 and 54 form a circumferential slot 56 which receives the free end of the post 36. The flanges 52 and 54 form a double seal. They are held in sealing engagement against the post 36 by the closure plate 30. When the vacuum pressure increases within the container the pressure differential across the closure plate 30 increases thereby increasing the force on the closure plate to clamp the valve more tightly between the end of the post 36 and the closure plate 30. Radial grooves 58 are spaced circumferentially on the surface of flange 52 to provide conduit means intermediate the free end of post 36 in the cover 30 for providing communication between the inlet port 16 and the outlet port 20'.

Another form of check valve is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and S. The check valve Ma is of substantially cylindrical configuration with a flared end 60 which has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the post 36. The valve is telescopically received within the post 36. The flared end 60 bears against the interior surface of the post 36. An integral cap 62- is provided on the outer end of the valve 440, remote from a flared end 60. A circumferential groove 64 is provided on its under side for receiving the free end 38 of the post 36. The cap 62 includes circumferentially spaced radial notches-66 on its under side adjacent the valve intersecting groove 66 to provide conduit means for effecting communication between .the vacuum pressure in the container is of an absolute value greater than the absolute value of the vacuum pressure in the conduit 14 the check valve will remain closed. With both the check valve 44a and the check valve 44, the greater the pressure differential the tighter the seal. A pressure differential in this direction will occur when the engine is not running or when the vacuum pressure at the source or manifold 15 drops. The pressure differential responsive device 22 will then be supplied solely from vacuum stored and retained in the storage container 12; however, when the absolute value of the vacuum pressure is greater at the source than the absolute value of the vacuum pressure in the fluid storage container 12, the check valve 44 or 44a will open and a vacuum will be drawn from the source 15 through conduit 14, check valve 44 or 44a, conduit means 58 or 66, notches 42, port and conduit 18 to the fluid differential operated device 22.

Certain specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described for the purpose of illustration but it will be apparent that various modifications and other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to the specific arrangements shown but in its broadest aspects it includes all equivalent embodiments and modifications which come within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A vacuum reservoir comprising a housing having a pair of end walls, a first port formed in one of said end walls for communicating with a vacuum source, a hollow post extending from said first port toward the other end wall opposite said one end wall, a plurality of reinforcing ribs extending radially from said post to the side walls of the housing and substantially from end to end thereof forming radial sections in said housing and conduit means for effecting communication from one radial section to another in said housing, a second port formed in said housing externally of said post for effecting communication between said housing and a device to be actuated by vacuum, a check valve disposed within said post, said check valve being normally closed, opened only when the vacuum pressure of said vacuum source exceeds the vacuum pressure within said housing externally of said post, and conduit means for efiecting oommunication through said housing between said first port and said second port when said check valve is open.

2. A vacuum reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said check valve is disposed adjacent the free end of said post and includes a portion thereof overlying the end of said post, said portion being clamped between said free end of said post and said other end wall.

3. A vacuum reservoir according to claim 2 wherein said conduit means is disposed at the junction between said other end wall and said check valve. 1

4. A vacuum reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said check valve is a duck-bill type valve.

5. A vacuum reservoir according to claim 4 wherein said check valve includes an annular flange overlying the end edges of said post, the duck-bill portion being telescoped within said post.

6. A vacuum reservoir according to claim 5 wherein said conduit means comprise radial grooves in the surface of said annular flange adjacent said other end wall.

7. A vacuum reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said check valve is of a substantially cylindrical configuration closed at one end the other end being flared, the outer diameter of said flared end being of greater diameter than the inner diameter of said post.

8. A vacuum reservoir according to claim 7 wherein said check valve includes-a cylindrical cap at the closed end, said cap being received on the free end of said post and having grooves therein in the side wall forming said conduit means.

9. A vacuum reservoir according to claim 8 wherem said cap is clamped between said other end wall and the end of said post. 

1. A vacuum reservoir comprising a housing having a pair of end walls, a first port formed in one of said end walls for communicating with a vacuum source, a hollow post extending from said first port toward the other end wall opposite said one end wall, a plurality of reinforcing ribs extending radially from said post to the side walls of the housing and substantially from end to end thereof forming radial sections in said housing and conduit means for effecting communication from one radial section to another in said housing, a second port formed in said housing externally of said post for effecting communication between said housing and a device to be actuated by vacuum, a check valve disposed within said post, said check valve being normally closed, opened only when the vacuum pressure of said vacuum source exceeds the vacuum pressure within said housing externally of said post, and conduit means for effecting communication through said housing between said first port and said second port when said check valve is open.
 2. A vacuum reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said check valve is disposed adjacent the free end of said post and incLudes a portion thereof overlying the end of said post, said portion being clamped between said free end of said post and said other end wall.
 3. A vacuum reservoir according to claim 2 wherein said conduit means is disposed at the junction between said other end wall and said check valve.
 4. A vacuum reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said check valve is a duck-bill type valve.
 5. A vacuum reservoir according to claim 4 wherein said check valve includes an annular flange overlying the end edges of said post, the duck-bill portion being telescoped within said post.
 6. A vacuum reservoir according to claim 5 wherein said conduit means comprise radial grooves in the surface of said annular flange adjacent said other end wall.
 7. A vacuum reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said check valve is of a substantially cylindrical configuration closed at one end the other end being flared, the outer diameter of said flared end being of greater diameter than the inner diameter of said post.
 8. A vacuum reservoir according to claim 7 wherein said check valve includes a cylindrical cap at the closed end, said cap being received on the free end of said post and having grooves therein in the side wall forming said conduit means.
 9. A vacuum reservoir according to claim 8 wherein said cap is clamped between said other end wall and the end of said post. 